in dispute. There are many who feel that we have been betrayed too many times already – I am one of them! – and then there are
those, loyal to the Pankhursts, who will follow their leaders’ advice whatever. Others say Mrs Pankhurst is tired and sad. During this last year she has lost her only son, her mother and now
her sister. Certain members feel that she wants peace at any price and an end to this interminable suffrage struggle.
Emily Wilding Davison asked me if I was sufficiently passionate about winning the vote that I would die for it. I couldn’t immediately answer.
“The Cause needs a martyr,” she said.
Suddenly I pictured Celia Loverton with her cut face. She, in a modest way, has become a sort of martyr to me. She is probably on the boat to India now. I miss her.
Others may feel as strongly as Emily obviously does. The overruling sentiment within the WSPU is that this government is deaf to our pleas and “it is time to go to battle”. It is
certainly what I feel.
21st January 1911
Flora took me to a concert this evening. It was a celebration for released prisoners. The music,
The March of the Women
, had been written especially for the event.
6th February 1911
Our new government has met for the first time. There is a move towards a new bill for us, a Second Conciliation Bill, though no mention was made of it in the King’s
speech.
15th March 1911
Serious criticism is being lobbied against our organization, of Mrs Pankhurst and Christabel, too. It hurts to read it, and I believe it confuses the general public. Even within
the WSPU, disputes and alliances are dividing us. We should not fight among ourselves. It is important that our goal bonds us. Miss Baker assures me that Mrs Pankhurst is aware of the situation,
but accepts that within any organization divisions and struggles are inevitable. It seems wrong to me.
16th March 1911
The Second Conciliation Bill is due to have its first reading on 5th May. Again it is disappointing because, as with the first,
if
it goes through, it will only allow the
vote to women who are householders. The argument remains the same: its narrowness will secure its success.
Mrs Pankhurst has a new car. It is a Wolseley and jolly smart. She has her own driver, too – a woman, and the first to be admitted to the Automobile Association. Well, that is a move in a
good direction, I suppose.
When my inheritance is paid, I might buy myself a car. I won’t have a chauffeur, though. I rather fancy being at the wheel. I will be able to take Mother out, too. Anything to get her out
of that horrid area.
19th March 1911
A national Census is due to be taken on 2nd April.
A boycott has been planned by all the various women’s groups, constitutionalists and militants alike. Instead of completing the form, the recommended response, written boldly across it,
is, “No vote. No Census.”
It’s an excellent idea. It appeals to Flora, too, and her passive approach.
The Times
, of course, has criticized us.
20th March 1911
Over breakfast this morning, Flora read aloud Mrs Pankhurst’s reply to
The Times
, which is terrific!
“The Census is a numbering of people. Until women count as people for the purpose of representation in the councils of the nation as well as for the purposes of taxation and of obedience
to the laws, we advise women to refuse to be numbered.”
YES!
“What will you write on our household form, Flora?” I asked.
She laughed at my earnestness. “If Mr Asquith has not pledged, on or before the beginning of April, to allow women’s suffrage I shall do as Millicent, Emmeline and Christabel and
like-minded suffragists are advising. I shall write in large letters right across our form: No Vote. No Census. There, Dollie, does that please you?”
“Perfectly!” I cried.
3rd April 1911
I am EXHAUSTED. Last night was Census night.
No pledge had been forthcoming from horrible Asquith, so suffrage supporters held an all-night vigil. Flora
those, loyal to the Pankhursts, who will follow their leaders’ advice whatever. Others say Mrs Pankhurst is tired and sad. During this last year she has lost her only son, her mother and now
her sister. Certain members feel that she wants peace at any price and an end to this interminable suffrage struggle.
Emily Wilding Davison asked me if I was sufficiently passionate about winning the vote that I would die for it. I couldn’t immediately answer.
“The Cause needs a martyr,” she said.
Suddenly I pictured Celia Loverton with her cut face. She, in a modest way, has become a sort of martyr to me. She is probably on the boat to India now. I miss her.
Others may feel as strongly as Emily obviously does. The overruling sentiment within the WSPU is that this government is deaf to our pleas and “it is time to go to battle”. It is
certainly what I feel.
21st January 1911
Flora took me to a concert this evening. It was a celebration for released prisoners. The music,
The March of the Women
, had been written especially for the event.
6th February 1911
Our new government has met for the first time. There is a move towards a new bill for us, a Second Conciliation Bill, though no mention was made of it in the King’s
speech.
15th March 1911
Serious criticism is being lobbied against our organization, of Mrs Pankhurst and Christabel, too. It hurts to read it, and I believe it confuses the general public. Even within
the WSPU, disputes and alliances are dividing us. We should not fight among ourselves. It is important that our goal bonds us. Miss Baker assures me that Mrs Pankhurst is aware of the situation,
but accepts that within any organization divisions and struggles are inevitable. It seems wrong to me.
16th March 1911
The Second Conciliation Bill is due to have its first reading on 5th May. Again it is disappointing because, as with the first,
if
it goes through, it will only allow the
vote to women who are householders. The argument remains the same: its narrowness will secure its success.
Mrs Pankhurst has a new car. It is a Wolseley and jolly smart. She has her own driver, too – a woman, and the first to be admitted to the Automobile Association. Well, that is a move in a
good direction, I suppose.
When my inheritance is paid, I might buy myself a car. I won’t have a chauffeur, though. I rather fancy being at the wheel. I will be able to take Mother out, too. Anything to get her out
of that horrid area.
19th March 1911
A national Census is due to be taken on 2nd April.
A boycott has been planned by all the various women’s groups, constitutionalists and militants alike. Instead of completing the form, the recommended response, written boldly across it,
is, “No vote. No Census.”
It’s an excellent idea. It appeals to Flora, too, and her passive approach.
The Times
, of course, has criticized us.
20th March 1911
Over breakfast this morning, Flora read aloud Mrs Pankhurst’s reply to
The Times
, which is terrific!
“The Census is a numbering of people. Until women count as people for the purpose of representation in the councils of the nation as well as for the purposes of taxation and of obedience
to the laws, we advise women to refuse to be numbered.”
YES!
“What will you write on our household form, Flora?” I asked.
She laughed at my earnestness. “If Mr Asquith has not pledged, on or before the beginning of April, to allow women’s suffrage I shall do as Millicent, Emmeline and Christabel and
like-minded suffragists are advising. I shall write in large letters right across our form: No Vote. No Census. There, Dollie, does that please you?”
“Perfectly!” I cried.
3rd April 1911
I am EXHAUSTED. Last night was Census night.
No pledge had been forthcoming from horrible Asquith, so suffrage supporters held an all-night vigil. Flora
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